Coolmore acquired another American champion for its broodmare band on Tuesday when going to $6 million for STELLAR WIND, the 2015 champion three-year-old filly, at the opening session of the 2017 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. M.V. Magnier signed the ticket on Hip No. 153, who was consigned by Lane’s End, agent.
Winner in 10 of 16 starts and earnings of more than $2.2 million, Stellar Wind’s purchase came after Coolmore bought dual champion turf mare Tepin for $8 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale Monday night.
Winner of the Santa Anita Oaks (G1), Summertime Oaks (G2), Santa Ysabel (G3), and Torrey Pines (G3), and placed in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), during her championship season, Stellar Wind later won the 2016 Clement L. Hirsch (G1) and Zenyatta (G1), both times over four-time champion Beholder, and this season captured the Apple Blossom H. (G1) and repeated in the Clement L. Hirsch. However, the daughter of Curlin ended her season on a low note, finishing last of eight in last Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar.
Out of Evening Star, by Malibu Moon, the Virginia-bred is from the family of this year’s Metropolitan H. (G1) winner Mor Spirit. She will reportedly be bred to Triple Crown hero American Pharoah next year.
“She’s a lovely mare and she’s been great,” former trainer John Sadler said. “To see her go is going to be sad, but she’s going on to her next career, so we’re happy that she’s got the world’s best connections.”
2016 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner CATHRYN SOPHIA sold to Bridlewood Farm and Don Alberto for $2.6 million. Offered in foal to Pioneerof the Nile on a February 26 cover, the four-year-old by Street Boss was consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock, agent.
“A young (Kentucky) Oaks winner in foal to a nice horse on early cover — what’s not to like?” Bridlewood’s George Isaacs said. “We partnered with Don Alberto. We’re very friendly with them, we’re like-minded, we want to both breed nice horses, race nice horses, sell nice horses — like-minded partners, no-brainer business. It’s a strong market, and obviously if you’re going to play on the upper end of the commercial market, you’re going to have to pay to get the quality that you’re looking for.”
Cathryn Sophia, out of Sheave, by Mineshaft, also captured the Davona Dale (G2) and Forward Gal (G2) en route to career earnings of more than $1.2 million.
Bridlewood was also the winning bidder on Grade 1 winner STREET FANCY for $1.5 million. In foal to Medaglia d’Oro on a February 10 cover, the 2015 Starlet (G1) winner was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, and offered as Hip 158. She’s out of the stakes-winning Bold Angel, by Cat Thief.
Taylor Made also consigned OSCAR PARTY, who sold to Reynolds Bell for Alpha Delta Stables, for $1.9 million. The Grade 2-placed stakes winner is back in foal to Tapit on a March 27 cover after delivering a colt by the stallion this year. Out of the stakes-winning Dream Lady, by Old Trieste, Oscar Party is a Dixie Union half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Room Service and Grade 3 scorer Major Gain.
Other seven-figure offerings from the Taylor Made consignment were WEEKEND WHIM, who sold to Summer Wind for $1.4 million as the first horse through the ring Tuesday, and LIFE WELL LIVED, who was gaveled down to James Delahooke, agent for celebrity chef Bobby Flay, for $1.25 million.
Weekend Whim, a Distorted Humor full sister to Grade 1 winner Any Given Saturday, is carrying a Medaglia d’Oro full sister to multiple Grade 1 winner New Money Honey on a May 14 cover. Life Well Lived, a full sister to Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Well Armed and dam of Grade 1 victor American Patriot, was sold in foal to American Pharoah on a May 13 cover.
Multiple Grade 3 winner TAMMY THE TORPEDO, in foal to War Front on a March 24 cover, was obtained by Dr. Masatake Iida for $1.65 million. Hip 163 was offered by Claiborne Farm, agent. A five-year-old out of Search and Seizure, by War Chant, Tammy the Torpedo earned more than $350,000 with victories in the Suwannee River (G3) and Violet (G3).
Shadai Farm of Japan bought Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) heroine HER EMMYNENCY for $1.5 million. Consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock, the five-year-old daughter of Successful Appeal and Grade 3 winner Chic Dancer, by Joyeux Danseur, was purchased in foal to Pioneerof the Nile on a February 22 cover.
At the end of trading Tuesday, gross receipts were down as 19 fewer horses sold compared to last year’s opening session, though the session average and median showed increases.
On Tuesday, 96 horses sold for $42,304,000, a decline of 15.7 percent from last year when 115 horses brought $50,155,000. The average was up 1 percent, from $436,130 to $440,667, while the median rose 15.4 percent, from $260,000 to $300,000.
The sale continues daily through November 18. Wednesday’s session begins at 11 a.m. (EST), while all remaining sessions commence at 10 a.m. Full results can be found at keeneland.com.
